The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Physics and Engineering Club’s Rocket Dawgs won their second consecutive Argonia Cup title last Sunday, March 26, at the Rocket Pasture near Argonia, Kansas.
The competition requires teams of college students to launch a two-stage rocket to at least 9,000 feet then deliver its payload, a golf ball, as close as possible to a predetermined location on the ground (an “X” made of tape on the grass). Further, all rocket components must return to the ground by parachute or under controlled motorized flight and be in flying condition after being recovered.
This year’s competition was particularly challenging due to the two-stage requirement, and the Rocket Dawgs were the only team to meet all the requirements, despite landing 2.41 miles away from the “X.” So, the only award given was for first place to the Rocket Dawgs.
Last year, the Rocket Dawgs won by landing on the “X” in a single-stage flight and were the first team to do that in the seven-year history of the competition. That accomplishment led to the two-stage requirement in this year’s competition.
Since the Argonia Cup began, the Rocket Dawgs were the first team to land on the “X” in practice, the first team to land on the “X” in competition, and the first team to have a successful two-stage flight. Other teams that competed were Auburn University, Kansas State University, Oklahoma State University (two teams), University of Missouri, Purdue University, University of Tennessee, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Southern Illinois University, Western Michigan University, and LeTourneau University.
“Congratulations to the SWOSU Rocket Dawgs on their stellar victory, bringing the Argonia Cup back to SWOSU! Your dedication, hard work, and passion for innovation have propelled you to new heights, and your achievement is truly out of this world,” exclaimed Dr. Diana Lovell when asked about the Rocket Dawg’s recent win.
The Rocket Dawgs are supported by Madeline Baugher and the Oklahoma NASA Space Grant Consortium, the SWOSU Department of Chemistry & Physics, SWOSU Alum Sharon Hodges, Brock Mason, Daniel Gassen, and the amazing members of the Tripoli Oklahoma Rocketry Club.
